Kevin Knox happy with shooting struggles

Hopefully Kevin Knox can get his shot back

New York Knicks rookie forward Kevin Knox has struggled over the past three preseason games after looking good during during the first couple of games.

On Friday night, during the Knicks’ final preseason game against the Brooklyn Nets, Knox only connected on 22.2 percent of his shots.

As a rookie, it would be easy for Knox to let his shooting problems mess with him mentally, but he sounds like he’ll be fine.

“Basically me and [Fizdale] have the same mentality,” Knox said, via Newsday. “This is all learning for me. Like he says all the time, I’m going to get my butt kicked a lot and I’m going to have a lot of mistakes. It’s part of a rookie year, you’re going to have ups and downs. It just shows how much confidence he has in me keeping me in the starting lineup. As I keep playing more, get used to playing in the system, get used to playing the NBA stage, Madison Square Garden, New York, I’ll get better and I’ll be able to find my rhythm.”

Knicks’ head coach David Fizdale is ready to let Knox fight through his issues as a rookie.

“No, he’s been up and down,” Fizdale said after the Knicks’ 113-107 loss to the Nets at Madison Square Garden. “I think he’s shown the ability to start in the first two games with the double-doubles. And the last three stunk. But for that position and what we’re trying to grow there, I think he’s what we want to put in that spot and just let him go through the hell of it and get beat up and have some success, and all of that stuff.

“But like I said, it’s not permanent, and if it’s something where a guy continues to struggle, it’s on me to help, and sometimes shifting the lineup helps guys. But they all know that it’s going to be all year. You’ve got to continue to fight and battle for what you get.”

Who else would the Knicks have starting at small forward anyway? Mario Hezonja?

Hezonja is on a one year contract and looked average this preseason. The Knicks are more heavily invested in Knox after using a lottery pick on him. They have to remain confident in him and support him through his shooting woes.

I believe Fizdale is handling things the right way by not getting down on any of his players for making mistakes or struggling. He has a young team and knows things won’t be perfect. As their head coach all he can do is support his players and help them get better.